Are extremal hypotheses not consistent with regime alluvial channels?

Abstract

The paper discusses the possibility of applying either variational or rational methods in order to evaluate the stable configuration of alluvial channels and the effects of manmade narrowings along degraded and aggraded rivers. A variational approach based on the Minimum Stream Power principle is here proposed, results of which agree fairly well with laboratory and field data. Nevertheless, due to the lack of a consolidated theoretical framework, it cannot certainly be concluded that a variational approach is the best method to apply, though no better results have been obtained by using existing rational methods. -Author